The most famous ex-Baltimore Orioles manager, and one of MLB's finest-ever skippers, Earl Weaver, died early Saturday morning while on a team cruise. He was 82.

The Orioles organization was shook up about losing a big part of the team's history.

"Weaver stands alone as the greatest manager in the history of the Orioles organization and one of the greatest in the history of baseball," said Orioles owner Peter Angelos in a statement. "This is a sad day for everyone who knew him and for all Orioles fans."

"Earl made his passion for the Orioles known both on and off the field. On behalf of the Orioles, I extend my condolences to his wife, Marianna, and to his family."

He boasted a 1,480-1,060 career record and captured Manager of the Year honors three times. The 1996 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee chalked up five 100-win seasons, six AL East titles and four pennants.

Weaver was also fiery, collecting 91 ejections, including a pair in a doubleheader.

MLB mourned his passing, as well.

"Earl Weaver was a brilliant baseball man, a true tactician in the dugout and one of the key figures in the rich history of the Baltimore Orioles, the club he led to four American League pennants and the 1970 World Series championship," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement released by MLB. "Having known Earl throughout my entire career in the game, I have many fond memories of the Orioles and the Brewers squaring off as American League East rivals. Earl's managerial style proved visionary, as many people in the game adopted his strategy and techniques years later.

"Earl was well known for being one of the game's most colorful characters with a memorable wit, but he was also amongst its most loyal. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to his wife, Marianna, their family and all Orioles fans."